Deception (49 page)
Lynette’s eyes grew huge as she turned them on Guthrie. “You have to take me with you.”
“I don’t have to do shit for you,” Guthrie countered. “Besides, it’s not like you haven’t already seen Agro’s bed.”
Her forehead wrinkled as her eyes grew shiny, begging him to reconsider. “The mood he’s in, those women won’t make it out of there alive.”
“He’s not aiming to kill them, Lyn.”
“He rarely aims to kill his own soldiers, Guthrie, yet they fall just the same. But I can see you don’t give a shit, so go. I may or may not see you when you get back.”
She glanced at the witch recruiting women for the boss’ pleasure. Then she turned the other way, heading for a thick cluster of trees on the edge of camp.
Guthrie looked from her to Agro, who stood at a basin outside his tent, washing the blood from his face and disheveled hair. He looked like shit, and so did his aura. When the soldier tasked with cleaning the bloody tent approached the basin to ask a question, he was knocked on his ass by a gust of summoned wind.
Guthrie took a deep breath as he ran a blood-stained hand down his face. Then he called Lynette’s name. She paused her flight and turned back, and Guthrie gave a reluctant nod. “Go pack your stuff.”
Her aura brightened as she raised her eyebrows. “Yeah?”
“Do you want me to change my mind?”
“No,” she answered, walking backward toward the sleeping quarters. “Thank you.”
“Whatever. Just keep your ridiculous schemes to yourself. I don’t want to hear them.” The claim was a lie. Part of him wanted her to feed his ego by convincing him he had the gall and power to overthrow Agro and take control of an army. And the spark in Lynette’s gaze told him she recognized the temptation.
“My lips are sealed,” she agreed, “until you ask me to open them… for whatever reason.” Then she turned and flew away.
Guthrie sighed as he threw one more glance at Agro, who’d stripped down and ordered a witch to wash him. The man was psychotic and temperamental, but he had an uncanny knack for staying alive and retaining control. Guthrie would be a fool to challenge him, but now that Lynette had planted the idea, Guthrie couldn’t dig it out.
“Damn her,” he whispered. Then he flew to follow through with orders, wondering if they’d be his last, or if he’d keep the temptation at bay and return to Agro with the means to capture his elusive witch.
the end
retribution
the mystic series 4
Coming soon.
Author’s Note
If you loved this book, please consider leaving a review where you purchased it.
Because I know that writing a review takes time, I’d like to reward your kindness with some special content
When this book has received 100 reviews, I will release a preview of Retribution: book 4 in the Mystic series.
When this book has received 200 reviews, I will release an extended scene of Quin and Layla's first time.
This content will be featured on my website.
Acknowledgments
There is no one more worthy of acknowledgment in the creation of the Mystic series than my mom. Her knowledge of the books and their characters is rivaled only by my own, and she never bats an eye when I ask her to read a draft for the fifth or sixth… or tenth time. She helps me polish every word of every paragraph, and she deserves more love and appreciation than I could possibly express in a single lifetime.
I also want to acknowledge my friend Amy and my aunt Leona – two wonderful ladies who always support me and test read for me no matter how busy their lives are, and they do it expecting nothing in return.
The next two ladies on my list have changed my world despite the fact that I’ve never met them – Beth Suit and Jillian Dodd. I would still be struggling to get where I am if it weren’t for Jillian’s expertise, which she generously and tirelessly gives without hesitation. To know her and watch her work is inspiring, and her energy and ambition blows my mind. I’m pretty sure she has a couple of clones. Beth Suit – an amazing and intelligent woman whose kindness radiates with her every word. She can’t help but cast a warm glow into people’s hearts, and also, I’m pretty sure she’s my sister from another mister. We’re so much alike!
Thanks again to my editor, Kelly Schaub, who’s been on this ride from the beginning and played an integral part in shaping the series.
As always, thank you to my loving family who tolerates my Mystic obsession. They are my real world – the one I’d be lost without – and I’m a lucky woman to have them.
And last but never least, a million thanks to those of you who visit my social media sites and website to share your opinions and excitement about the series. Seeing your comments and enthusiasm while being able to communicate with you has been the most rewarding part of publishing. You make what was once a dream a very sweet reality.
About the Author
B. C. Burgess is a small town girl born and raised in Oklahoma, where she still resides with her devoted husband and their young son. She’s addicted to coffee and writing and thinks the combination is heaven. Inspired to write by her love of reading, she feels fiction provides a healthy escape from the hardships of life, and hopes her stories touch the hearts of her readers, just as she’s been touched time and again. Though most of her visions flower in the form of fiction, she dreams of the day her passion for writing, along with determination and hard work, will prove to her son creative dreams can come true.
If you like the tales B. C. weaves, let her know.
She loves hearing from her readers.
Follow B.C on her website.
Sign up
for her mailing list.